Manu Propria Pens - Fuki-Urushi

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manupropria

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Nov 2, 2014
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520
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Bern, Switzerland
I have made a pair of pens from Ebony and Rosewood.
The first picture shows you the pen after grinding, the other pictures after "fuki-urushi".
Fuki-Urushi is a technique used in Japan for sealing wood, especially furniture.
The pure urushi lacquer is transparent but of a yellowish honey color.
Here urushi is rubbed into the surface of wood and wiped off completely with paper, then cured for 24 hours.
This is repeated sevaral times until the pores are closed well.
The color tone of the urushi also intensifies and darkens the color of the wood.
The inside of the pen was sealed also but with a liquid made from urushi and Acetone.
Since urushi is sticky it cannot be used to seal the inside of the pen.

The wooden blanks I have baked by 130 degree celsius for one hour.
The heat makes the wood shrink and presses out the oils.
When taken out of the oven there were oil pearls visible on the surface that could be wiped off.

Enjoy weekend

Martin
 

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keithbyrd

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Sep 2, 2011
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Mount Wolf, PA
The pens are beautiful!
A couple questions!
When you say "wiped off completely with paper, then cured for 24 hours" do you use a special paper? Paper towels? If it is wiped off completely what is there to cure?
When wiping off the "oil pearls" did you use acetone? DNA?
Thank you Martin.
 

manupropria

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Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
520
Location
Bern, Switzerland
Thank you.
The urushi is rubbed into the wood surface.
The wood absorbs the lacquer as it does if you pur water over it.
I use toilet paper to remove the urushi from the surface.
It takes 24 hours to cure urushi in a "Urushimuro" Cabinet, in which the relative humidity is adjusted to 75% (Urushi does not cure in normal room).
The rubbing process is repeated until the wood is saturated and properly sealed.

I wiped off the oil with Acetone.

Note, after the wood is treated this way the pen is resistant aginst heat, water and all existing acids and lyes
 

SteveG

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Dec 21, 2009
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2,985
Location
Eugene, Oregon 97404
I fully enjoy every pen you post, and your ever present (trademark) little bean.:) The fuki-urushi method really shows the beauty of the woods you selected.

I am a bit surprised at the fairly high temperature used to prep the wood. (130*C = 266*F). If I understand correctly, the Blanks are heated prior to turning. I am wondering if this is process used for wood blanks in general, or primarily for oily woods?

It is always a treat to view and read your posts. Thank you!
 

OZturner

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Joined
Aug 5, 2013
Messages
6,663
Location
Sydney. NSW. Australia
Martin, Thank You for again Extending my Knowledge and Appreciation of your Magnificent Pens, Finishes and Processes.
It is Great to Observe and Absorb from a Master Craftsman.
Sincerely,
Brian.
 
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